River Forest’s Brandon Fergerson has produced in each of his two seasons.
In addition to his statistics, the sophomore shortstop/pitcher has increasingly become a go-to voice for the Ingots.
“I’m more mature this year, just attitude-wise,” Fergerson said. “I talk more, talk more to my teammates. I communicate with them more.”
River Forest coach Michael Kosinski has been around Fergerson long enough to see the process unfold.
“I’ve known Brandon since elementary school,” Kosinski said. “When I found out he played baseball, we engaged more. I had him for junior high baseball. … But it’s been nice getting to know him more and more. Last year, he was that freshman trying to get a feel, trying to figure out who he is, what kind of ballplayer he is, what kind of leader he’s going to be.
“We’ve had this conversation, and he’s had it multiple times with other people — he has a lot of growing up to do. But from last year to this year, the maturity has been a big step for him. You can have fun and take it serious at the same time. He’s learning what role he needs to play and what type of leadership fits him best with getting the kids up, getting the team motivated, talking, in and out of the lines.”
It didn’t take Fergerson long to figure out his performance inside the lines. He was hitting .425 with a team-high 17 RBIs and 20 stolen bases for the Ingots (8-6) through Thursday. He was also 3-1 on the mound.
“Just stay loose and open-minded,” Fergerson said. “Take a two-strike approach and make contact. Nothing big.”
As a freshman, Fergerson hit .411 with 24 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. He finished second in each of those categories behind standout senior Kaleb Short.
“He’s definitely had a hot start to high school — a lot of RBIs, definitely putting runs on the board for us, good arm on the mound,” Short said. “Just a very strong batter and arm.
“He brings a lot of leadership. He’s definitely one of our verbal leaders. He helps guys out when they need it.”
That component will become even more important for Fergerson next season. Short is the lone senior on River Forest’s roster, which includes eight freshmen.
“He’s just really stepping up knowing that the role he’s played freshman and sophomore year is going to be even bigger next year because he’s going to be asked to do a lot more than this year,” Kosinski said. “His numbers this year and freshman year are good, and he just has to keep going with what he’s consistently doing. That’s a huge part for him. It’s just the other things where he just has to continue to grow.”
Fergerson also plays basketball and averaged 7.0 points this past season. He played hockey for a couple of years when he was younger. But baseball, his first sport, has come to the forefront.
“I just love it more,” he said.
Such a statement brought a smile to Kosinski’s face.
“You ask for a kid who has a good personality, can stay upbeat, that’s Brandon,” Kosinski said. “He’s hard on himself. But we tell these guys every single day that baseball is a game of failure. You learn more from failing than you do winning.
“We try to push them to understand that you’re going to fail in this game. But if you go 4-for-10, you’re still batting .400. As long as you keep doing that and maturing, great things will happen. That’s where Brandon just keeps getting better too. He’s learning, and that’s the biggest thing.”
